On this journey we call life, we have significant influence over a variety of things that we detrimentally often perceive as being out of our control.

Today, I was making the commute home, taking public transportation via the train, also known as Muni here in San Francisco. While waiting at a stop, West Portal to be exact, I was dismayed to see the next train that services my house was scheduled to arrive in 32 minutes.

32 MINUTES!

One woman waiting with me went over to the Muni operator and asked if the time reflected for the specific line was indeed arriving in 32 minutes.

The employee confirmed that yes that was the correct time.

The women clearly disappointed started walking in the opposite direction. She had gotten about 20 paces away when the Muni employee called over her “Come back!”

To everyone’s surprise, the Muni employee walked over to a train that was idling with “Out Of Service” displayed on its banner. The operator spoke to the drive and directed him to change his route to service the exact line I was waiting for.

Because the women had inquired about the arrival times I no longer had to wait 32 minutes.

Today, make an ask you think is unlikely and you might land a seat on a train heading your ideal direction 32 minutes early.